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Preschool detection of asymptomatic bacteriuria: a public health program
Insights
Kindergarten screening for urinary tract infections (UTIs) is feasible, with most parents agreeing to testing. Home-collected urine samples showed higher false-positive rates but were otherwise manageable.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children.
- Early detection and treatment of UTIs are crucial to prevent long-term complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and parental acceptance of a kindergarten-based screening program for urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- To evaluate different methods of urine specimen collection for UTI screening in young children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving parents registering children for kindergarten.
- Offered UTI screening to parents; collected urine specimens from consenting children at school or home.
- Analyzed urine specimens for UTI indicators.
Main Results:
- 95% of parents agreed to UTI screening for their children.
- Urine specimens were obtained from 1591 children (87% of those registered).
- Home-prepared specimens had a higher proportion of false-positive results compared to school-collected samples, though minor issues were encountered.
Conclusions:
- Kindergarten registration is a practical time for implementing UTI screening.
- Screening can be effectively conducted at school by lay personnel or at home by parents.
- Further refinement of home-based specimen collection may be needed to reduce false-positive rates.
Abstract:
A total of 95% of parents registering their children for kindergarten agreed to screening for urinary tract infection (UTI) in their children. Urine specimens from 1591 children (87%), obtained at the school or at home, were tested. Only minor problems were encountered when parents prepared the specimens at home and mailed them to the laboratory for reading; the proportion of false-positive results was higher in these samples. If screening for UTI becomes established, it appears worth while to conduct this at the time of registration for kindergarten, either in the school by lay persons or in the home by parents.